But then, Louisa let out a chuckle. “Calm down, I was just kidding. You’re really easy to fool.”

I slammed my palm hard on the table. “I shouldn’t have eaten!” I snapped, standing abruptly and grabbing my bag without another word.

As Adrian came back, he was confused to see me disappear.

Louisa put on her perfect pout and explained, “She said my food wasn’t tasty and that it gave her a stomach ache. Then she got angry and stormed off.”

“She really needs to be scolded,” he muttered, already stepping forward.

But Louisa gently caught his arm. “No need, Adrian. Don’t ruin her mood before the exhibition. You better have breakfast too and get ready to go there.”

“And,” she added, “the building owner said the water in my apartment has been fixed, so I’ll go back first. Thanks for letting me stay over.”

Adrian exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing at her calm. “Okay, then. Go back and prepare yourself, I’ll pick you up at your apartment later.”

“Come to Elena’s exhibition with me,” he added, “Elena has to apologize to you.”

Louisa smiled. “Okay. Then I’ll wait for you to come.”

Without Adrian knowing, I had made my decision. When I came back from my exhibition, I would burn the 98th photo.

My morning had already been ruined, but still, when I put my pieces backstage, I immediately walked up to my family, kissed my mother’s cheek, accepted my father’s warm hug, and posed for a few family pictures.

But as I headed backstage to prepare for the exhibition, I noticed something strange. The key of my locker was broken and pieces of fabric ripped and slashed.

Gasps echoed behind me as my classmates gathered since it was only my locker that was broken.

Without a word, I turned and marched straight to the security office, fury boiling beneath my skin.

The security officer reviewed the footage. Then, there it was, Louisa.

She entered among the bustle, blending with the crowd an hour ago, while everyone was outside greeting their families, and pulled out a cutter to ruin my pieces proudly.

“That bitch!” I hissed, eyes burning with rage.

I copied the surveillance footage to my phone, since justice should be served. But I would confront her later, since I should think about the solution first.

I walked briskly toward the parking lot to get the backup piece I had—thank God—prepared.

But as fate would have it, Adrian and Louisa stepped out of the car like nothing had happened.

Without thinking twice, I stormed toward them, reached out and grabbed Louisa’s glossy curls, yanking them so hard a fistful came off in my hand.

“Aghh!” she shrieked as she stumbled backward, losing balance on her ridiculous high heels and crashing to the ground, knees slamming against the pavement.

“Elena!” Adrian finally shouted. “What the hell’s gotten into you?!”

“You want to know what’s gotten into me?” I snapped, unlocking my phone. “This.”

I shoved the screen toward him, the footage playing clearly.

“I found my locker destroyed. My pieces are ruined. And look who shows up on the security cam,” I hissed.

But Adrian—he did not even glance at the phone. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and muttered, “Lena, we just got here. How could she ruin your exhibition?

“You just don’t like her, so you’re trying to pin everything on her. You should be apologizing to her—for this morning, and now this.”

He scooped Louisa and carried her before adding, “You made me angry, Lena. I won’t watch your exhibition. I won’t attend your graduation.”

That cold, dismissive, and sharp tone was the only tone he once used to cut down people who bullied me. But that time, he used it against me.

As they reached the car, my phone buzzed.

A message from her. [Louisa: Good luck, loser.]

I turned sharply on my heels and whispered a promise to myself, ‘I’ll definitely burn the 98th and 99th photo when I get back to the apartment later.’

Fortunately, despite everything, my exhibition was a success.

Later that evening, I returned to Duarte Manor, the place that always embraced every time I fought with Adrian in the past.

After dinner, I finally spoke to them about my decision to study in Paris. My parents were hesitant—not because they did not want me to grow, but because they, too, had waited for the wedding.

But Sergio smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Mom, Dad, Elena is still young. Let her be happy for now. Besides, why rush to get married? Elena will get married eventually—it’s just that the timing is different.”

He winked at me. As a result, my parents finally nodded, though concern lingered in their eyes.

I did not tell them everything—not yet. I just did not want to create unnecessary drama between our families. Not until I had the right moment to speak.

***

A day before I left Spain, I drove to the villa with purpose, to pack everything, take what was mine, and leave no piece of myself behind. After all, I had not burned the 98th and 99th yet.

After emptying my room, I passed the room where all the 100 photos should hang on the wall. But since I burned most of them, leaving only one—our engagement photo, the 100th photo.

I walked inside, stared at it for a moment, and murmured to myself bitterly, "Let’s see, how long you’ll be displayed there."

Then I came out since I wanted to go pack my things in another room.

However, as I just closed the door, Adrian, who should be in the office, showed up in front of me, making me stumble in shock.

He caught me instinctively, one hand on my waist, the other steadying my arm.

“Did I surprise you?” he asked, smiling softly and tapped the tip of my nose with his index finger.

I immediately pulled away, shrugging him off and stepping back.

“Is the tantrum over, mi amor?” he said with a chuckle, slipping back into his old pet name for me. Whether it was because he was in a good mood or just trying to disarm me, I could not tell.

I rolled my eyes and muttered, “It’s never my fault.”

I turned and headed to the study, not waiting for his reply. But he followed me, so I snapped, “What are you doing following me?”

“I came back because I wanted to get the files I left in the study,” he said casually, flashing that crooked smile that used to make me melt.

But that time? It just made me nauseous.

His smile brought back the memory of Louisa walking into this very room for the first time.

It was just a week after she had started working at Velasco Corporation. Adrian had hired her as his personal secretary.

At the time, I did not think much of it. Secretaries came and went, and Adrian barely spoke about work at home.

But as I was still designing a new spring collection in study, the door clicked open, showing a woman in heels.

“Who are you?” I asked, standing from my chair.

“Oh, sorry. I thought the study was empty. I’m Louisa Moreno, Adrian’s secretary. He asked me to pick up the meeting files from the study.”

“Adrian?” I repeated, brows knitting. “You call him by his name?”

“Yes. Adrian asked me to. He said I’m a special person to him. So, there’s no need to be too formal.”

Special?

Before I could process the sting, she tilted her head and asked, “Oh, then… who are you?”

“I’m Elena Duarte. His fiancée.”

I thought the words would draw the line and she would understand her place.

But instead, she giggled, “Ah, it’s you! Nice to meet you. I hope since we both are Adrian's women, we can get along quickly, Ms. Duarte.”

Adrian’s… women?

She extended her hand for a handshake, but I just stared at it for half a second before slapped it away.

“Bitch,” I snapped.

Louisa blew on the back of her hand, her face darkened, and said mockingly, “Remember this. You were the first to raise the war flag. So don’t cry like a child when you lose to me later.”

She then snatched the folder of files in Adrian's work table casually and walked out, leaving only her cheap perfume scent.

But no one knew except me if that moment marked the start of I burnt the photo. So, of course, I sneered at him that day, “Oh, you don’t send your secretary to fetch things for you anymore?”

“Louisa is unhealthy,” he said suddenly, voice a little lower. “She said she’s been vomiting all day. I am thinking of stopping by, I am afraid something might happen to her.”

The words stabbed deeper than I expected.

“Oh.” My voice was barely audible, since it meant Adrian wanted to take care of pregnant Louisa, how sick!

But suddenly, Adrian hugged me from behind and his chin rested lightly on my shoulder.

“Lena…” he whispered, “I miss you. I haven’t bothered you for the past two days, right?”

He continued softly, “Louisa also said she’s forgiven you… so please let it slide.”

My expression darkened and just answered, “Fine, just think of it all as over.”

‘Like our relationship,’ I continued in my heart.

He leaned in close and murmured, “I need you, mi amor.”

His voice low, seductive—before pressing a kiss to my nape, and without waiting, he kissed my lips.

I did not pull away because it happened so fast. But when I felt his hand on my shirt, fingers moving to unfasten the top button, I pushed him away firmly.

“Stop,” I said quickly, lying. “I’m on my period.”

His hands dropped immediately. A flicker of frustration crossed his face before he tried to play it off.

“Okay. I’ll wait patiently.” Then he kissed my cheek and said casually, “Tonight’s my grandpa’s 75th birthday. So, come with me, okay?

“As promised, no matter how much we fight, we’ll still act at the family events, right?”

I smiled politely. But inside, I sneered, ‘Oh? So, all of this is just acting?’

But I simply nodded. “Sure.”

Considered it my final performance, before I left everything behind.

After Adrian left, I packed the rest of my belongings into the car and drove back to Duarte Manor.

I just returned to the apartment before Adrian came back from the office and that night, we left for the banquet.

But when we reached the basement parking lot, he suddenly slapped his forehead.

“Shoot, I forgot the wine I was bringing for Grandpa. Wait here, I’ll go get it,” he said, already halfway out of the car before I could respond.

I nodded, saying nothing. But then, my heel stepped on something soft. I reached down, confused—and then froze.

Black lace thong.

I immediately reached for the dashboard and tapped through the most recent footage. The timestamp showed it was only a few hours ago. Right after I had rejected him in the apartment.

“So, this was his idea of patience. Disgusting!”

When Adrian came rushing out of the elevator toward the car, I instinctively stuffed the black lace thong into my bag.

“Sigh, Grandpa will be disappointed if I forget the gift,” Adrian mumbled as he slid into the driver's seat and immediately reached over to buckle my seatbelt, like he always did.

“You’re always careless,” he chided playfully. “You sit in the car forever but still forget to put your seatbelt on. What would happen to you without me, huh?”

I forced a smile, voice flat as I replied, “Right. What can I do without you, Adrian?”

He chuckled. “If you hadn’t done your makeup, I would’ve kissed you ten times already until you got upset.”

I turned my face to the window, fighting back a gag. All I could think about was Louisa’s glossed lips on his skin, so no way I would let him kiss me again.

When we arrived at the Velasco estate lobby, Louisa immediately greeted us, “Adrian, why are you so late? I’m almost freezing here.”

“Sorry, I forgot the gift earlier, so I came back,” Adrian said quickly, glancing at her, then remembered his mask. “Louisa, call me formally at the event, I’ve taught you.”

“Ah, right, I forgot. Apologize, Mr. Velasco,” she said with a forced chuckle, lowering her eyes.

Which secretary ‘forgot’ to call her boss properly at a public event? Only Louisa.

Adrian smiled and for a second, his hand instinctively moved toward Louisa’s waist. But then, as if remembering where he was, he extended his other arm and placed it around my waist instead.

‘Muscle memory never lies,’ I thought bitterly. I wondered how many banquets they had gone to without me.

As if the surprise was not enough, when Louisa removed her long beige coat, I saw her proudly wearing a dress that I had designed for my wedding night dinner party.

“Where did you find that dress, bitch?” I snapped angrily.

Louisa blinked, feigning innocence. “This? Adrian gave it to me. Isn’t it pretty?”

Adrian, ever the diplomat in a sea of damage, stepped forward gently. “You could always make yourself a better one,” he said softly. “But Louisa didn’t have anything nice to wear. Please try to understand.

“Don’t make trouble here,” he added. “Grandpa must be waiting inside.”

I looked at the two of them. Perfect match.

One liked to provide, the other always begged to be provided for.

“Okay,” I said dryly. “It’s up to you tonight.”

Then I turned around and walked into the event hall first.

As I headed straight for the refreshment table and took a glass of lemonade to cool my rising anger, Louisa slithered in behind me.

She reached out casually. “Oh, I’ll take that.”

Her fingers brushed mine and—splash—the lemonade poured down the front of my dress.

“Oops,” she said with the fakest pout. “I didn’t mean to.”

The sticky liquid ran down my torso, dripping to the floor. A small puddle spread at my feet.

I stared at her, face blank. The guests had not noticed yet, but this could easily turn into a spectacle.

I was sure she wanted more attention—especially if she slipped on that puddle and played the pregnancy card for sympathy.

So, I said calmly, “I should clean this up before someone falls,”

Then I reached into my purse and pulled out her thong with just my index finger. I dropped it onto the wet floor between us.

I said sweetly, “At first, I wanted to throw it in the trash… but it turns out someone found a better use for it.”

Louisa’s eyes widened in horror, her gaze darting to the delicate black lace now soaking in lemonade.

It was expensive high-end product, sure. But to me, it was just trash that belonged where it landed.

“Elena!”

But just as Louisa looked ready to lunge at me, Adrian arrived and asked, “What happened?”

I answered before Louisa could open her mouth. “Ah, that—Louisa accidentally spilled lemonade on my dress.”

Louisa, still holding her half-empty glass, could not deny it. Her excuse died on her tongue. Instead, she lowered her head slightly and muttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

“That’s fine,” I said with a dismissive wave, cutting her off before she could fake any more emotion. “I’ll go freshen-up first, then.”

I turned on my heel and left the two of them standing there. I did not know what Louisa said afterward, I only saw her trying to slide her thong under her heel and out of sight.

It must have been humiliating.

She should be grateful I did not throw it in her face and screamed cheater in front of the entire Velasco family.

After cleaning my dress in the restroom and wrapping a silk scarf from my bag over the stained area, I came to Señor Velasco.

“Happy 75th birthday, Grandpa,” I said softly.

Señor Velasco turned to me, a warm smile lighting his face. He opened his arms without hesitation and pulled me into a hug.

“Thank you, mi amor,” he said, his voice kind and low. “But why did you greet Grandpa alone? Not with Adrian? Did that boy upset you again?”

Since long ago, he had been my protector—understanding how mischievous Adrian could be and always siding with me when it mattered.

I nodded slowly. “Yes,” I whispered. “He hurt me so much this time, Grandpa. Pardon my rudeness, but it wasn’t just once or twice that Adrian hurt me.”

I reached into my clutch and pulled out a USB, a proof I gathered for a year. “Adrian… cheated on me. With his own secretary.

“I tried to endure it, Grandpa. But that woman is pregnant with Adrian’s child now.”

His expression darkened as his personal assistant plugged it on the tablet he brought.

Señor Velasco snapped the tab and hissed, “Call that brat!”

I immediately waved my hand gently in refusal and said, “No need, Grandpa. He’s madly in love with that woman. I don’t want to marry him anymore.

“To fulfil my grandfather’s will, I’ll marry Uncle Diego instead,” I continued. “After all, I accept my professor's recommendation to continue studying in Paris too.”

As I said that, someone finally came over and said, “That boy, how dare he make a girl cry.”

Señor Velasco, his assistant, and I looked over almost at the same time.

It was Diego Velasco, the one I said I would marry.

Without hesitation, Diego reached for my fingers and linked them before smiled at his father and said, “Dad, if that’s what Elena wants, then I’ll agree.”

Just like that, simple but totally made everyone stunned, even I could not hide my shock.

I had prepared myself for a lecture, a polite rejection, or a gentle reminder that this was family and not a soap opera.

Instead, Diego accepted easily and we agreed to leave Spain the next day.

I packed the last of my essentials from the villa the next morning. Adrian was packing too.

He had been ordered to leave for L.A. on a “business trip” for a month with Louisa—Señor Velasco’s way of removing them from the narrative.

Apparently, Diego had only one condition, Adrian must leave. And he did.

Adrian leaned in and kissed my forehead gently, as if he still thought we had a future.

“I hope you don’t hate Louisa too much,” he whispered. “She’s just my secretary while we will get married eventually.”

The words struck me like déjà vu. He used to calm me down like that when I confronted him about Louisa's arrival in our apartment.

The only difference was me. Back then, I was naive.

That time, my heart had hardened. There was not a single thread of warmth left for his temptations.

I did not care anymore—not about the wedding we had been planning since our engagement, or the invitations already spread.

In just an hour, I would be gone.

“I’ll miss you, Lena. Back from Los Angeles, we will immediately get married, okay?”

My body tensed. I realized I had never actually heard him say ‘I love you’ to me.

He had said I miss you, I need you, I want you over and over, especially when his desire was at its peak.

But I rarely heard I love you.

I confronted him, “Adrian, do you love me?”

His eyes flickered for a moment. He hesitated before smiling again and said, “Do I need to say it out loud? Isn’t it clear with just action?”

Then he turned his gaze to the Rolex in his wrist, and added before leaving the villa, "Oh, I have to leave soon. See you next month, mi amor."

His answer made things clear. He never loved me.

So, I walked to the photo wall, lit the match, and muttered, “I’ve burned it all, so I’ll leave as you wish, Adrian Velasco.”